Thu, 08/04/2022 - 08:31

Kristen Hill of Falmouth, left, and Pam Lanz of Gorham help with gleaning at a local farm. (Photo courtesy of University of Maine Cooperative Extension)

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is accepting applications for its Master Gardener Volunteers training program that begins Oct. 24

The 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer training includes self-paced online learning modules along with live virtual sessions with horticultural experts from across the state. Designed to train volunteers for horticulture and food system-related community service projects, topics include vegetable and fruit production; plants for the Maine landscape; soil health and composting; pesticide safety; and food security. Participants will be expected to volunteer at least 40 hours on a community project to complete certification. Applications for the 2022 program are due Sept. 1.

In addition, two new training programs are available to access in-depth horticulture knowledge. The Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training is designed to supply learners with a foundational horticulture education suitable for skilled entry-level positions in the horticulture industry and requires completion of a 200-hour industry apprenticeship. The Maine Gardener Training is designed to supply learners with a horticulture education and skills for use in their personal garden without the volunteer component in the Master Gardener Volunteer training program. Enrollment for these courses opens Sept. 28.

All course fees have sliding scale options. Program schedules and more details are available on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.3188; extension.mastergardeners@maine.edu.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: As a trusted resource for over 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine's land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.

About the University of Maine: The University of Maine, founded in Orono in 1865, is the state's land grant, sea grant and space grant university, with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. UMaine is located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation. UMaine Machias is located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation. As Maine's flagship public university, UMaine has a statewide mission of teaching, research and economic development, and community service. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution. It attracts students from all 50 states and 81 countries. UMaine currently enrolls 11,989 undergraduate and graduate students, and UMaine Machias enrolls 747 undergraduates. Our students have opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research with world-class scholars. UMaine offers more than 100 degree programs through which students can earn master's, doctoral or professional science master's degrees, as well as graduate certificates. UMaine Machias offers 18 degree programs. The university promotes environmental stewardship, with substantial efforts campuswide to conserve energy, recycle and adhere to green building standards in new construction. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu and machias.edu.